British government: Trump will visit United Kingdom this year

US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May are meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump said there was "a false rumor," out there that he was not on the same wavelength as the British leader. (Jan. 25)

DAVOS, Switzerland â" The British government said Thursday that President Trump will visit the United Kingdom later this year.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump concluded a meeting at the World Economic Forum by asking officials to finalize details of the U.S. president's visit in 2018.

Never mind that there have been a series of rifts between Trump and British leaders. As far as he is concerned, talk of any tension i s a "false rumor."

"Weâre on the same wavelength in, I think, in every respect," Trump said. He said the two leaders "liked each other a lot" and the United States and the United Kingdom are "joined at the hip" on mutual military defense.

May also addressed the dynamic between the two countries but was generally less enthusiastic, and impersonal, in her description of her relationship with Trump.

âWe, too, have that really special relationship between the U.K. and the United States,â May said. âItâs at each otherâs shoulders. We face the same challenges across the world, and as you say weâre willing to go and to defeat those challenges and meet them.â

Trump and May were also expected to discuss North Korea's nuclear weapons program, the conflict in Syria and Iran's nuclear deal during their meeting.

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Although the two countries have long enjoyed what they call a "special relationship," Trump and May have repeatedly clashed since he became president a year ago. Among the examples:

â¢Trump this month canceled a planned trip to London for the opening of the new U.S. Embassy because he described the new building as a "bad deal." A poll last year found that 4% â" roughly 2.5 million people â" of Britain's population would protest a state visit by Trump.

"Reason I canceled my trip to London is that I am not a big fan of the Obama Administration having sold perhaps the best located and finest embassy in London for 'peanut s,' only to build a new one in an off location for 1.2 billion dollars," Trump tweeted. "Bad deal. Wanted me to cut ribbon-NO!"

The decision to build the new embassy was actually done in 2006 under President George W. Bush and the new location chosen in 2008, according to the State Department and the U.S. Embassy.

More: New $1 billion U.S. Embassy in Britain: Things to know

â¢London Mayor Sadiq Khan and May slammed Trump in November for retweeting anti-Muslim propaganda from a British far-right party. Khan, a Muslim, called Britain First, the far-right party that Trump retweeted, "a vile, extremist group that exists solely to sow division and hatred in our country."

Trump took aim at May following her disapproval in a statement, tweeting: "@Theresa_May, don't focus on m e, focus on the destructive Radical Islamic Terrorism that is taking place within the United Kingdom. We are doing just fine!"

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's socks are seen during a session at the Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on Jan. 25, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Fullscreen Armed security personnel stand guard on the rooftop of a hotel, next to letters reading "Davos" surrounded by snow, near the Congress Centre on Jan. 25, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Fullscreen Queen Rania of Jordan listens to her husband delivering a speech at the Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on Jan. 25, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Fullscreen Greenpeace activists project a message reading "Justice for people and Planet" on the forest next to the Congress Centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on Jan. 25, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. Fullscreen Netherlands' Queen Maxima, center, speaks with a delegate inside the Congress Centre during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting on Jan. 25, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. 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Fullscreen Armed Swiss police officers stand guard on the roof of a hotel near the congress center where the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2018. The meeting brings together enterpreneurs, scientists, chief executive and political leaders in Davos from Jan. 23 to 26. Fullscreen A view inside the Congress Centre during the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) on Jan. 23, 2018 in Davos, Switzerland. Fullscreen Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a plenary session in the Congress Hall on the opening day of the 48th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2018. Fullscreen A participant takes picture with her mobile phone of the panel session 'Reconnnecting Refugees' on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 23, 2018. 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Fullscreen A security guard directs a man outside of the Davos Congress Centre under snow ahead of the opening of the World Economic Forumon Jan. 22, 2018 in Davos, eastern Switzerland. FullscreenReplay